Net neutrality laid down in Dutch law

On 8 May 2012 the Dutch Senate of the States General approved the new Telecom Act.

This revised law guarantees free access to internet and prohibits the blocking of access to services such as WhatsApp, Viper and Skype. Net neutrality is thus guaranteed under Dutch law.

The Netherlands is one of the first countries in the world to guarantee free access to internet under the law.

The most important points in the Act are:

The consumer should be informed if files like “cookies” are put on their computer. The user must be able to give permission for this. The House of Representatives tightened this provision when amending the law.

If customer details come into the public domain providers must inform their customers as quickly as possible.

An image and text mediation service will be provided to help disabled users communicate more easily with businesses and government bodies.

The use of frequencies is essential for wireless communication. One of the most important changes to the Act is the implementation of new frequency policy with flexibility as its key. This new, more flexible policy will speed up procedures and rules, simplify them and abolish those that are superfluous. This will make it easier to meet the speedily changing circumstances and technological developments on the electronic communication market.